Environment / B2

GLAS-ee-uh/ˈɡlæsiə/

A glacier is a slow-moving mass of ice formed from compacted snow on land: a valley glacier; glacier retreat. Ice sheet is larger and broader; iceberg is floating ice (already related). Map the glacier retreat on the OS extract. Mix-up: glacier vs glazier (someone who fits glass); glaze. Do not call a winter puddle a glacier.

Meaning

A slow-moving mass of ice formed from compacted snow on land.

Examples

• “Map the glacier retreat on the OS extract, not a travel advert.”
• “A valley glacier featured in the erosion case, which is the land-ice sense.”

Good to know

a valley / tidewater glacier; glacier retreat / snout. Larger: ice sheet. Floating: iceberg. Trap: glazier. Geography. Slow land ice, not a frozen pond.

Near in meaning

ice sheet, ice cap

Topics

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